Private Security and the Commonwealth Games
April 1, 2014
With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to start on the 23rd July the game organisers and Police Scotland have been ramping up the activity to make sure that the games are safe and secure.
Taking plenty of learning from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as other major events, Police Scotland, in conjunction with a number of other security companies, will be responsible for the overall safety and security operation which will incorporate significant security staffing and stewarding personnel.
To cover all aspects of the security operation there will be a deployment of private security guards, stewards, military personnel and police officers to make sure that all avenues are covered.
As soon as the athletes and spectators start to arrive in Scotland right up to the closing ceremony, it is Police Scotland’s responsibility to make sure that all the outsourced security partners are delivering in accordance with the agreed plans and that the games are as safe as can be.
In total there are 19 separate companies who have been signed up to support Police Scotland and their teams will be deployed across a wide range of targeted locations, venues, accommodation and training facilities. Private security staff will be used anywhere that does not require police officers such as venue and site security as well as stewarding.
The Commonwealth Games has provided a jobs boom for the security industry in Scotland, providing up to 3000 people with the appropriate qualifications to access job opportunities in the security sector.
The Commonwealth Games will be another demonstration of how important a role private security companies play in delivering safety and security for large scale sporting events. They will play a massive part in ensuring that the Games experience for athletes, spectators and officials is an enjoyable one and above all, a safe one.